GEARHEAD NEWS

(Elk Grove, CA) Inez Whitlow is a tough chick. In fact, she was once a Chick in Crisis, having become pregnant as a teen. Inspired by her experience and wanting to help other chicks navigate the trecherous waters of an unplanned pregnancy, she started Chicks in Crisis to help teens and young women facing the mental, physical and emotional challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. With a goal to keep babies and young children from entering the foster system, Whitlow created a one-stop shop of sorts for these young women, providing everything from counceling, clothing and cooking classes to facilitating adoptions.

As a tough chick herself, Gearhead owner Michelle Haunold decided to host a fundraiser during the upcoming Gearfest 2016 to help Chicks in Crisis. “They’re right around the corner from my house, “ Haunold says. “I stopped by one day to see what it was all about and was inspired by Inez and her dedication to these girls and babies. She’s making a difference in our community, and I wanted to help.”

The garage-punk hot rod exravaganza Gearfest 2016 will take place at the Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816 Sept. 24, 2016. The underground rock festival will begin at 6:00 pm with a free hot rod show in front of the club followed by a garage-punk rock show for 21+ featuring bands, food and a Ms. Gearhead contest.

What exactly is the Ms. Gearhead Contest you ask? Sponsored by Beautiful Disaster Cosmetics, an El Dorado Hills, CA based brand of hypoallergenic cosmetics, any woman can take part in the contest by donating $20 for a chance to win the title of Ms. Gearhead 2016. All proceeds from the contest will be donated to the non-profit Elk Grove, CA based Chicks in Crisis.

Women don’t need to dress or look a certain way. They just need to be able to speak for three minutes about how they embody the qualities of Ms. Gearhead, which, according to the website is “… strong, independent and above all, true to herself and her inner voice. She is compassionate and kind, and works for the rights of those less fortunate than herself, but she is not a push over. She is a protector and voice for animals and the earth, conscious that being a leader comes with great courage to do what is right and stand up against what is wrong. She is diplomatic and follows a path of peace when facing conflicts.”

After a short deliberation by three independent judges, the winner will be crowned and given the title of Ms. Gearhead 2016. She will win a feature article and photo shoot for the Gearhead website, as well as a basket of goodies valued over $500 including Beautiful Disaster Cosmetics, a Lux DeVille handbag and wallet donated by Kustom Koffins Apparel, sunglasses from Tres Noir Optics and a gift basket from Sacramento based restraunt East SMF.

In addition, raffle tickets will be sold for $1 a piece with half the cash prize going to Chicks in Crisis and the other half to one lucky raffle winner.

Guests can get a $2 discount by buying their tickets early, which Haunold encourages. “Space is pretty limited at this club, so get your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in!” Tickets are $10 at the door, but guests can get a $2 discount by bringing one or more of the folllowing: Diapers Sizes 4, 5 and 6, Clothing: Newborn to Size 5T, Baby Wipes, or Gift cards ($25 or less). All these items are on the Chicks in Crisis wish list.

For more information, please visit the Gearhead website at http://www.gearheadhq.com

(Elk Grove, CA) Let the beer flow and the music blast! The garage-punk hot rod exravaganza Gearfest is back! Hosted by Gearhead, the record label/magazine located in Elk Grove, CA, Gearfest 2016 will once again take place at the Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816 Sept. 24, 2016. The underground rock festival will begin at 6:00 pm with a free hot rod show in front of the club followed by a garage-punk rock show for 21+ featuring bands, food and a Ms. Gearhead contest. Space is limited and guests are encouraged to buy their tickets in advancefrom the Blue Lamp website.The cost is $8 in advance or $10 at the door. The first twenty-five guests will receive a Gearhead Goody Bag, and everyone attending will get a show poster to take home.

Live performances start at 7pm with Sacramento-based garage-punkers The Troublemakers, followed by The Roxy Suicide, a glam-pop punk band from Fort Collins, CO, the long-loved Bay Area power pop outfit Red Planet making a triumphant return after a fifteen year hiatus, Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders playing bluesy-country-punk from Los Angeles, and as an extra treat, Leesa G, former frontwoman of the 80s punk band The Creamers will perform several Creamers songs with The Rankoutsiders backing her.

Halfway through the show, women will compete in the Ms. Gearhead Contest, a fundraiser for the non-profit Elk Grove, CA based Chicks in Crisis, who provide support and assistance to young women facing pregnancy and child-rearing issues.Gearfest 2016 will be co-hosted with hot rod fabricators Asphalt Rodeo from Elk Grove, CA and Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing, one of the oldest tattoo shops in Sacramento, CA. “Asphalt Rodeo has the best slogan,” exclaims Haunold. “Rusty Parts, Over Priced Sales, Shitty Service.” Haunold chuckles and shakes her head. “These guys have a great sense of humor, commitment to building cool cars, and they’re nice guys. I’m really pleased to be working with them. Sacramento Tattoo has been supporting Gearhead for a number of years with great artwork and promotion, so I’m happy to have them on board again with Gearfest 2016.”

Not only will the event be totally rocking, but there is an underlying theme: do something good for the community. “Combining a fundraising element with a party means everyone has a good time and supports a local non-profit to boot!” enthused Haunold.Hosting a festival is a lot of work. Why do it? “At 52 years old, I have been witness to a lot of explosive moments in music, seeing bands just starting out that went on to become superstars,” Haunold shares thoughtfully. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, there were festivals like this all the time; Underground rock and roll shows with a theme brought people together and energised everyone with unique ideas and a common ground. People were a part of something. Not to diss on them, but the millenials think that being punk rock or DIY is just dying your hair nad making fish-faces for photos and posting it on the internet. I want this new generation to feel what a REAL DIY punk rock show feels like. It’s magic. Plus, its so cool to give people from my generation something like this again. They come out of the woodwork for shows like this, which is awesome.”

Strating at 6 pm with hot rods and custom cars gathering in front of the club and across the street at The Red Lion, guests should arrive early to enjoy the cars for free. As the doors open at 6:30 pmDave’s Dawgs will be selling their signature brand of hot rod inspired hot dogs and sausages both including vegetarian alternatives. Rolling Rock is the sponsoring beer for the evening including $3 beers! The first band goes on sharp at 7 pm. At 9 pm The Ms. Gearhead 2016 contest will start with up to fifteen women competing for the title. Any woman can enter for $20with all proceeds going to Chicks in Crisis. After talking for 3 minutes on the theme of empowerment, creativity and individuality, the judges will choose the next Ms. Gearhead who will win a feature on the Gearhead website as well as gifts from local businesses. In addition, raffle tickets will be sold for $1 with half the cash prize going to Chicks in Crisis and the other half to one lucky raffle winner.

Guests can get a $2 discount by buying their tickets early, which Haunold encourages. “Space is pretty limited at this club, so get your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in!” Tickets are $10 at the door, but guests can get a $2 discount by bringing one or more of the folllowing: Diapers Sizes 4, 5 and 6, Clothing: Newborn to Size 5T, Baby Wipes, Gift cards ($25 or less). All these items are on the Chicks in Crisis wish list.For more information, please Contact:

(Elk, Grove, CA) The sky-blue cover with the retro bikini-clad flag girl grabs ones attention immediately. The bold graphic at the top of the magazine stating GEARHEAD leaves no doubt­– the much-loved magazine from the early 90s is back!.

After a an eight year hiatus brought on by the collapse of the economy, changing consumer demands and differing visions for the business, current editor/publisher Rev. Michelle Haunold thought long and hard before attempting to revive the magazine that was a touch stone for hot-rodders, underground rockers and kustom culture enthusiasts alike.

“So much has changed since the magazine was last published,” exclaims Haunold. “The disappearance of local book and record stores, changing consumer demands regarding how they access media, printing costs, promotions….” She lets her voice lapse. “ I really wondered if there would still be a demand and a market for something as retro as GEARHEAD.”

Since the gap in publishing the magazine caused long-time advertisers to look else where, Haunold was left with launching a crowd-funding campaign to raise the financing to print the magazine. After three long months putting together a KICKSTARTER campaign, she did what she always did to generate interest and support–she tapped into her long-time fan base.

Through guerilla marketing and promotional techniques which included writing press-releases, sending out newsletters, posting on social media, calling old customers and visiting former retail and wholesale accounts, the campaign ended successfully with Haunold raising enough money to pay for the old-school style web-press printing that was a hallmark of the magazine. Less than 30% of Kickstarter campaigns fund successfully, so Haunold took this as a good sign.

“People came out of the woodwork and were so supportive and excited,” said Haunold, a wide smile breaking across her face. “It really made me feel good, like I wasn’t walking into uncharted territory after all.”

Despite Haunold’s lack of publishing experience, the magazine came out on deadline and is now available to the public for the first time since going dormant back in 2009. But first she had to use her guerilla marketing skills to sell the new issue.

“I have lots of ideas for future issues, but first I have to sell this one,” laughs Haunold. The magazine is available from several local book and record stores, including Newsbeat in Davis, CA, Phono Select Records and So-Cal Speed Shop in Sacramento.

Stories include a behind the scene look at the Yolo County Demolition Derby, an interview with L.A. based garage rockers The Lords of Altamont, and some final words from the legendary car kustomizer George Barris, who got his start in Sacramento. Sales nationwide are gaining speed as former retailers come on board. And of course, mail-order customers have been snatching up the limited edition printing of 2500 copies at a steady pace through the company’s website gearheadhq.com.

The magazine will be for sale digitally in the near future, but Haunold wants to give the printed version time to sell first. “I put a lot of thought into how the physical presence of the magazine would look. I kept it old school, with a color cover and black and white guts, but I printed it on book-quality paper, so it has a really nice texture and smell to it. You can’t get that with a digital download, “ said Haunold with a grimace.

Who is this person?! Rev. Michelle Haunold Lorenz has been digging around in the underbelly of the kustom kulture lowbrow world for over thirty years, discovering mind-blowing rock n' roll bands, cool up and coming artists, creating custom apparel and weaving vintage pop culture touchstones into her essays about life, love and the human condition.

She lives with her new husband, world-renowned tattoo artist Cuz'n Bill Lorenz and their three Pembroke Welsh Corgis (with tails) in Elk Grove, CA.

Read stories about cars, pop culture, music, art, and any other related topics that catch the imagination of GEARHEAD owner Rev. Michelle Haunold.

​Guest writers are also encouraged to get in touch to share content that might be of interest to the GEARHEAD community. Live Fast, Be Weird! #livefastbeweird #gearheadrocks